Laxmikant Pyarelal: Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli (1970)

Take a look at the above cover. Click on it, view it in full size, and tell me what the hell is going on in that picture, because based on it, 'Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli' looks like one bizarre, demented film. A woman dressed as a cobra, a menacing looking guy in a devil cap, another sporting a swan wig and peacock feathers, and chorus girls in... what, anti-radiation helmets? All

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Sharafat (1970) / Salil Chowdhury: Mere Apne (1971)

   Been a while, sorry about that. Busy days. But here to tide you over until I get back on something approaching a regular schedule are a couple of singles I found in the back of the 7" box. Neither of the 'Sharafat' [review] songs are particularly noteworthy; 'Pehle Na Dekha' is an OK ballad, but forgettable. 'Mere Apne' [review] is a bit more interesting; 'Hal Chal Thik Thak Hai' is chirpy

Rahul Dev Burman: Apna Desh (1972)

When I first saw the cover of 'Apna Desh' [review], I knew this was a record I needed to own. It took a while to get - copies always seemed to be snapped up right before my eyes - but after a few years my perseverance paid off. Hell, I even bought and watched the film while waiting (capsule review: It goes on and on, and then has a wonderfully camp last quarter) just to see the cover image in

Rahul Dev Burman: Nehle Peh Dehlaa (1976)

This just in, the LP version of 'Nehle Peh Dehlaa'. What I said here then, but with dialogue, an extra qawwali, and all songs are full length. Upgrade at will.

Track listing:
1. Asha Bhosle: Main Choron Ki Rani
2. Aziz Nazan Qawwal & Chorus: Sunle Too Binati Meri Haji Ali (Qawwali)
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Sawan Ka Maheena Aagaya
4. Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar & Manna Dey:

Kalyanji Anandji: Ek Haseena Do Diwane (1971)

Another fine effort from the Shah brothers. Peppy and poppy in tone, mostly; check out 'Aaja Ya Aajane De Paas' and 'Do Qadam Tum Bhi Chalo'. And the fab Northern Soul instrumental serving as an intro to 'Yeh Nach Wach Kya Hai'; I kind of wish they'd made it into a separate track. Luckily the subsequent Rafi song is good as well.

Curiously, my copy of 'Ek Haseena Do Diwane' is pressed under

Kalyanji Anandji: Bluff Master (1962)

Kalyanji Anandji again, old style. Predictably, 'Bluff Master's [review] main attraction is the 'Title Music', a fun, jaunty, rockin' dance nummer with Latin flourishes. A couple of the songs deserve mention as well though... 'Jabse Tujhe Jaan Gayi' is high drama with a galloping beat, castanets and lashing whips; 'Ae Dil Ab Kahin Na Ja' has a gorgeous melody and an exotic, atmospheric feel;

Shankar Jaikishan: April Fool (1964)

'April Fool' is a relatively new acquisition; it's an album I never considered an essential purchase (for reasons long forgotten) but then a real cheap copy came my way so I figured, why not?

It's not bad actually... while not on par with some of Shankar Jaikishan's great rock'n'roll moments from a year or two down the line, it does contain elements of what was to come: 'Aa Gale Lag Ja' has a